Search and rescue operations are underway following floods that hit eastern Spain. The country's authorities said the death toll had risen to 207 and was likely to rise. Help from other countries has begun to reach the province most affected by the disaster, Valencia, but the situation is still dramatic.
Meteorological phenomenon DANA (depression aislada en niveles altos) hit eastern Spain on Tuesday and Wednesday. Extremely heavy rainfall caused flash floods in many provinces, including Valencia, Castile-La Mancha and Andalusia. In the blink of an eye, city streets were filled with water, which penetrated houses, carried away cars and elements of infrastructure.
Unknown number of missing
On Friday evening, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the death toll from the floods had risen to 207. 202 people died in the province of Valencia, while the remaining victims were found in Andalusia and Castile-La Mancha.
– Unfortunately, everything indicates that there will be more deaths – he said.
The politician added that it is difficult to estimate the number of missing people. In affected areas, there are problems with mobile communications and network availability, which means that many people are unable to contact concerned family members, who then report them as missing. Moreover, people who eventually find their loved ones do not inform the appropriate authorities.
As added by the portal “El Mundo”, in Valencia alone the list of reported missing persons contains 2,500 names and a search and rescue operation is underway.
Alfafar in the province of Valencia after the floodsPAP/EPA/KAI FORSTERLING
Outside help
Local media draw attention to the tragic situation in the towns devastated by the natural disaster – many households still have no access to electricity and water, and there is a shortage of food. According to residents, some people live under the same roof with relatives whose bodies are still trapped under layers of mud. The city of Khiva said on Friday that “no aid has arrived yet”, appealing for water and food. There is also no mobile communication in the city.
– There are no hospitals, no shops, nothing. It was as if we were in the middle of a war, said one of the volunteers from the city of Alfafar in an interview with RTVE television. – Until you come here and see it, it's hard to imagine.
Alfafar in the province of Valencia after the floodsPAP/EPA/KAI FORSTERLING
Help from other countries also went to Spain. The first foreign rescue team arrived in Valencia on Friday evening. A 10-person group from Portugal arrived with three search dogs, power generators and specialized equipment for searching for people missing in disasters.
The rescuers have experience in foreign rescue operations – one of them was the search for victims of the earthquake that hit Turkey in February 2023.
Volunteers go to clean up the flooded districts of ValenciaPAP/EPA/KAI FORSTERLING
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/KAI FORSTERLING